I met Buntin and saw her paintings when she was at the Arts Incubator, 929 North 15th Street. The spot was a favorite place for Jan and I to visit on First Friday evening art hops in the Crossroad District. There were many art studios to look at and many steps to climb. Buntin's subjects were swimming pools, electric wires against the sky and she used lots and lots of aqua. A color I was intrigued with and wished to someday use myself.

Buntin and a jewelry maker Cathryn Simmons supported my art.

In February 2003, when my work showed at the New Works Gallery with the Kansas City Artists Coalition, the pair bought a painting from me. Above, "Sonata In Blue."

It
wasn't long before Buntin launched her own work space in the Troost area. Buntin and Simmons teamed up and renovated a warehouse on the east side, creating spaces for other artists to rent. In 2007 Hoop Dog
Studios opened its doors.

You can see photos of their garden on their website. Jan and I stopped by to check it out. The enthusiasm to renovate and start new plant cuttings reminded me of my mother Dorris. She was gung-ho to plant trees.

The Kansas City Artists Coalition used to sponsor a city-wide art event called Open Studios. Artists pooled together. City maps with locations were posted. Art
lovers came out meet the artists and see their work. I joined with
others at Leawood in 2002 - Union Street in the West Bottoms in 2004,
and at the Hoop Dog Gallery in 2008.

Lori looked over the acryliclandscapes I had been doing. She was enthralled. She showed me how to make the pieces look even better with frames. I was impressed.

She became my framer for that show. More photos from that particular opening in 2008, next. Double click to enlarge.

2008 left to right: Jan Marxhausen, Lori Buntin, Cathryn Simmons

See ABOVE:

Buntin reinforced the back on larger works on mine. Cradled backing made a painted panel stand out from the wall and gave it a presence.

In 2012 when I did the linoleum reduction cut print and other woodcut prints for the Albrecht-Kemper Invitational, Lori did an excellent presentation for each. Mats, glass, and frames. I recommend her work!!!!!!

Which brings me back to the present and April 18th, 2017. It had been a while since I had viewed the oyster shell paintings. Works from sixteen years ago. Now THAT is RETRO!!! My remarks on one of the pieces from that bunch.

Below, leaning against the tailgate of my pickup.

Thank you Lori for bring works down from the rafters in the warehouse. (Are you related to Spiderman??) For helping me hoist into the back of the truck. For your useful cardboard between works. Thank you both for the storage you provide. Your encouragement every time we meet. Your appreciation. And your friendship as one artist to another. Blessings to you both in 2017 and beyond.

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grid shows the order that constrains sand amoebas

"THAT PAINTING BRINGS YOU JOY SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU, AND I WOULD FOCUS ON THAT INSTEAD." DR.TANYA W. LAND, nurse practicianer specialist in Carrollton, MO

Cutting Block (Winter Scene)

"HELLO KARL. AS A FRIEND OF CHARLES AND ANITRA STEELE,I HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO YOU AND YOUR WORKAND AM ALWAYS INTERESTED IN READING YOUR WRITINGS AND ABOUT YOUR ACTIVITIES.I ESPECIALLY ADMIRE YOUR PERSISTENCE IN "BEING A TRUE ARTIST" IN SMALL CARROLLTON.I'M SURE IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU PERSONALLY NEED TO DO AND IN WAYS THAT YOU WILL PERHAPS NEVER KNOW ARE AFFECTING MANY IN A POSITIVE WAY.CONTINUE TO HEAL!!"Patt Behler, Jefferson City, MO

sand, packaging, and acrylic paint is seen in this detail of "A Thinking Reed's Response"

"ABOUT YOUR DAD: THE BLESSING THAT CAME INTO HIS LIFE WAS CONCORDIA. THIS SETTING HELPED HIM BECOME THE PERSON HE "BECAME." AND BY SETTING I MEAN THE COLLEGE AND THE CITY OF SEWARD. NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. IT WAS THE PERFECT SPOT FOR HIM." JACK DUENSING, SEWARD, NE.

mixed materials used in "Wired To Hear Your Voice" by Karl Marxhausen, 2002

Followers

owner of "Sundown" from Seward, NE

Welcome. Art is alive in the middle of North America. Ten miles north of the Missouri River, down the road from Moss Creek, I work with a variety of materials. This journal tells you what I am up to with PAINT, COLLAGE, RELIEF PRINTS, MARKERS, and MUSIC. Your comments are welcomed from around the globe. Posts go up every two weeks. Come back often.

plein air acrylic

"SOUNDS LIKE GOD HAS BLESSED YOU WITH YOUR ART. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY!!"sandy quick, kansas city, mo

"HOW COOL IS THAT KARL!! CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP AT IT - YOU ARE DOING WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WORK."richard hamilton, kansas city, mo

grappling with the neurons in consciousness

"I ADMIRE THE WAY YOU MAKE THE SCENE YOUR OWN. YOU USE ACRYLICS IN A NICE, FLEXIBLE WAY WHICH IS SO DIFFICULT."sheila vaughan, painter, united kingdom

"MAY THE LORD CONTINUE TO INSPIRE YOU!!"adebanji alade,artist, united kingdom

"KARL PAINTS WITH STRONG STROKES - SOMETIMES ALMOST SLASHES. HE SAYS IT ALL, FEARLESSLY, IN A FEW WELL CHOSEN WORDS FROM HIS PALETTE. HIS SUBJECTS ARE SIMPLE EVERYDAY THINGS THAT HOLD THE GREAT PLEASURES." phil chadwick, painter, ontario